Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie speaks to friends around the NFL who share with him the reputation of the Eagles defense. It's not flattering.

“Everybody looks at us as a pretty defense,” Rodgers-Cromartie said. “They’re just big guys with big talent that don’t really want to hit nobody.”

The comments come after two games in which opponents easily moved the ball against the Eagles and tackling has been an issue. He said opposing players tell him, "You guys are talented, but you all don't want to hit nobody."

Asked if that reputation is fair, Rodgers-Cromartie said, "When I look at film, it's fair."

He said the Eagles must play more physical and that teams are obvious with their gameplans.

"Teams are going to line up and probably run the ball my way and throw the ball over there at Nnamdi in some dink-and-dunk type of stuff," Rodgers-Cromartie said.

He added that the Eagles are seeing more passes to the flat and screen passes because they play the Wide-9. He admitted it occurs more against the Eagles and that offenses will do it until the Eagles can stop it.

“It’s working. Why not?" Rodgers-Cromartie said. "That’s one thing about this league. Until you fix it, it’s always going to show itself.”

In his time in Philadelphia, Rodgers-Cromartie has seen teams get excited to play the Eagles. Even with the team struggling, he anticipates that continuing.

“We’re the Philadelphia Eagles, so we’re going to get their best shot," Rodgers-Cromartie said. "Because you know what this program and what this team’s history is, winning and just being a dominant team. So everybody wants to beat the Philadelphia Eagles.”

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- Andy Reid running back LeSean McCoy (illness) will be back practicing on Friday.

- Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder said there will be no surgery for Todd Herremans right now. He might need surgery in four weeks, but it's still not likely.

- Andy Reid said he isn't likely to list guard Danny Watkins (hamstring) as out. Watkins will likely be a game-time deicison.